Letter: The perfect choice

I need to tell you first off, that I’m a totally non-political person, to the point of not even voting during some presidential elections during the years of my youth (I know, I should be ashamed) and even years beyond those. So, you might ask, why am I writing this letter in an attempt to perhaps convince the reader to vote ...

I need to tell you first off, that I’m a totally non-political person, to the point of not even voting during some presidential elections during the years of my youth (I know, I should be ashamed) and even years beyond those. So, you might ask, why am I writing this letter in an attempt to perhaps convince the reader to vote for Sabrina Bengel for mayor of New Bern in the upcoming election? Because, hopefully by the time I finish writing this, you may also realize that by considering her for mayor of our town you too could just be making The Perfect Choice.

Some time back, my husband and I were faced with a landscaping issue where we live, for which there seemed to be absolutely no resolution, at least so we were told over and over again. None! One late afternoon we found ourselves in Baker’s Kitchen, when my husband pointed to a woman talking to someone behind the counter. “That’s Sabrina Bengel, the alderman,” he said. “So what does that mean?” I asked in my typical “non-political” ignorance. Rolling his eyes in frustration (he is a very political minded person, you see), he said, “It means she is an elected official of the city.” Now, knowing myself, if I didn’t seize that chance to talk to her I would never go beyond that point. So, with much trepidation I walked up to her and waited for her to notice me. When she did, I thought it best to just blurt out my intention and get it over with. “My name is Mary Fuller and I was just wondering, is it very difficult to get an appointment with you, well, soon? She flashed me her usual open smile. “No! absolutely not!” With that she handed me her card and suggested we have coffee the follow morning and talk about it. What about her struck me most? Her genuine approachability.

The following morning we talked and shared how impossible we were told a solution for our dilemma was, to which she remained unmoved and assured us that she would talk to the appropriate city officials and see what could be done. I watched her closely during the rest of our conversation where we shared similarities in our backgrounds and how we now all came to be in New Bern, etc. I felt like I knew her for far longer than that brief conversation. When we left, my husband asked, “So what did you think of her?” “I think she should run for mayor.”

Several weeks passed without hearing from her and my old doubts about anyone with political interests started to seep in deep. I sent her one email to which she assured me she was working on the problem and would get back to me. More weeks went by and I was convinced our issue was long dead — just as I might have expected. Then, one day while sitting in an office reading a magazine, I heard a familiar voice, “Oh, Mrs. Fuller, you’re just the person I wanted to see. I was about to send you an email to tell you I’ll be out your way tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock with a city department head to look at the problem.” I wished I would have responded with something sounding even remotely intelligent; instead I said, “Oh, really?”

Page 2 of 2 - Of course there is much more to this story, but what matters most here, is the fact that Ms. Bengel stayed with the issue and called it like she saw it from the very beginning. There is no doubt in my mind that she would approach every future issue in our city — with the same focus. You see, I’ve been on this earth for far too long not to recognize integrity when I see it, or distinguish the difference between sweet coated aggressiveness from honest assertiveness presented with “quiet dignity.” In the very brief time I’ve known Sabrina Bengel she has demonstrated only the positive side of these differences coupled with much energy and enthusiasm for everything she does. New Bern would, indeed, “be in good hands” with her as mayor.

Well there it is, from a non-political person no less, who admits to deeply caring about our city’s election outcome. And, discovering in the process that it’s nice to care about it. No, it’s more than nice, it’s downright exciting! But, then again, I’ve never before been presented with The Perfect Choice.